FARMINGTON — The Farmington City Council decided after a closed session Tuesday evening to go up against the Utah Department of Transportation over the West Davis Corridor.

The council had considered filing a lawsuit over their disagreements with UDOT’s draft environmental impact statement (EIS), but decided instead to make their claims known in a public comment.

““We think we’re on strong legal grounds to challenge UDOT on some of the EIS points,” said City Manager Dave Millheim. “Rather than do it formally, we’re going to do a detailed and public comment.”

The Farmington council’s disagreements are in regard to four large conservation easements through which the proposed freeway would run, if UDOT gets its way.

In its draft statement, UDOT recommends that the new road be built near Glover Lane and into Bluff Road in Syracuse rather than through parts of Kaysville.

Farmington officials believe that UDOT did not adequately consider the four conservation agreements, which total hundreds of acres, according to Millheim. The city believes that land should fall under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, which requires extra care and scrutiny. The section doesn’t prohibit federal road projects on such land, but requires several safeguards.

UDOT’s position, according to Millheim, is that the land in question isn’t being used as a park or other specific public use so it shouldn’t be classified under 4(f).

“We believe that they’ve basically discounted the conservation easements,” Millheim said. “We just disagree very strongly with their interpretation of that.”

The city has other disagreements as well, and will release a robust statement for the public to examine within about a week.

UDOT did not immediately return calls about Farmington’s position.

At a separate meeting on Tuesday, the Kaysville City Council voted for a resolution in favor of UDOT’s plan.

Believe me, the only reason Farmington City is making a stink is because they didn't get their way. They're not opposed to the freeway, they're upset because they didn't get an off ramp near Station Park. They were perfectly willing to destroy their own residents' homes and neighborhoods without a second thought at the prospect of more money. Kaysville City has it right.

My guess is they couldn't care less about the environmental impacts of the EIS, it's all about loss in speculative tax revenue. Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes. They don't want to get rid of the freeway, they just want an alternate route that pours more consumers into Station Park. Last I checked, Station Park is doing just fine.

As a resident of west Farmington, I've seen firsthand how they've treated their own residents through this process. They may be my city council, but they don't represent me. My only hope is we get enough votes so that residents in West Farmington actually have a voice among the entrenched interests.

Thank you Farmington City for taking a stand and working to protect the rights of the citizens here in Farmington! UDOT has discounted various impacts of this road throughout Farmington. And they've neglected to include a local interchange, claiming that they are waiting for Farmington Officials to "tell us where they want one." Unethical and unlawful in my opinion.

I am thrilled to hear Farmington City Counsel is taking a stand against this. Like many I wonder why they waited so long and what made them change their stance. I also question if the upcoming election has influenced their direction. Regardless, I am thrilled that they are helping all of us fight against UDOT. Thank you Davis County Clipper for helping us keep up with this. GREAT JOB!

I am happy to see Farmington City Council NOW fighting this corridor which is documented by UDOT to be unneeded in Farmington. IT will only bring Money Magazine's "14th best city to live in the U.S." noise and environmental pollution, putting our children further at risk.

I am expecting that the Farmington City Council will utilize legal options if the recommendation for the WDC remains the same in the spring of 2014.

Don't forget to vote in November for those running for city council positions who are truly representing all of Farmington and who have our best interests at heart.

Farmington has a special quiet, home-town feel. We have 3 freeways (I-15, Hwy 89, and Legacy) within a city of about 19,000 residents and very limited square footage. We don't need a fourth freeway. Way to go, City Council...keep it up...many of us are watching how this unfolds.

It is nice to see that Farmington officials are getting involved and pushing back on UDOT's draft EIS findings and conclusions. I hope they stick to it and see the process out as this is an important issue and people need to be aware of all aspects of the proposed freeway and its effects on Farmington and the other cities in west Davis County.

Believe me, the only reason Farmington City is making a stink is because they didn't get their way. They're not opposed to the freeway, they're upset because they didn't get an off ramp near Station Park. They were perfectly willing to destroy their own residents' homes and neighborhoods without a second thought at the thought of more money.

They couldn't care less about the environmental impacts of the EIS, it's all about loss in speculative tax revenue. Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes. They don't want to get rid of the freeway, they just want an alternate route that pours more consumers into Station Park. Last I checked, Station Park is doing booming business as it is.

As a resident of west Farmington, I've seen firsthand how they've treated their own residents through this process. They may be my city council, but they don't represent me. My only hope is we get enough votes so that residents in West Farmington actually have a voice among the entrenched interests.

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